Bring it on

Doesn't it look like we're just about to ride a hurricane? No? Well we're ready either way. Looks like tropical storm Maria could be throwing in some hurricane winds to us tomorrow with storm beginning already tonight so we have not much else to do than prepare our dear Caos as much as we can. We've just tied up to a mooring, threw out an anchor, secured all possible flying stuff off the deck and that should be fine to begin with. This is supposed to be the strongest tropical storm in our Caribbean stay so far. Perhaps even a hurricane if we are really damn unlucky. But like they say; there's always a first time for everything.

Wanna get out on the sea

To stay on land, especially on a happening island like SXM, is wonderful but we can't wait for the storm to pass so we can get out sailing again. Much to discover also outside of this lagoon..

Randoms

Listening to Beck while awaiting the storm.

Mueve la cintura

Lots of salsa, bachata & other ritmos latinos going on here on this island.. here's a good one to get you in the mood.

Mullet Bay

last pic is from Maho Beach

Alex got a couple of smaller waves from the swell of hurricane Katia on Saturday afternoon on Mullet bay and there was that other bay which was even better with some nice barrels (no pics from there unfortunately due to the late hour in which we finally found the place). Apparently there was even better surf on the NE on Sunday which we unfortunately missed out on. Shall check the place out next time there's a good swell coming.

Back in business

Bikini from Babajaan.

Hello!

We took a weekend off from boat work, writing, the blog and everything else and instead we've been devouring the beauty of this island. I mean seriously, I don't think I could've ever imagined here to be so beautiful. The beaches, the ambiance, the water, aah, the water! It is way better than most other places we've seen thus far on the islands below in the Lesser Antilles. And all those amazing rocks by the shore, loving the change of view. This week has been all about surfing (yes me too), celebrating Alex's birthday, swimming, drinking Jagermeister with our crazy yacht broker and some other friends we've made, watching beautiful sun setting in the sea and salsa dancing, to top it all up in good style. Yeah we could definitely imagine to live here in the future, but you know how it is, we fall in love with every second place we sail to so no need to worry about us settling down in the nearest future. Happy to death though that this place is above all our expectations since we will spend quite some time here this fall. More about everything a bit later. Hope you all had a good weekend.

Now and forever more

Waves rolling in on Maho Beach. Chilling out with a cocktail while the sun is setting, feeling thankfulness for life, dreaming of the future, listening to this.

Beach break

My beautiful silk kaftan is from this brand.

We're having a really good time here, in between all work.. Alex forced me to move my ass from the computer today to spend the afternoon at the beach instead and I must say it was a good move. Loving the vibe of this island. Should have less work to deal with and more time for island exploration after the weekend hopefully. 

Purple sky

Caos lonely at the quay, one quiet night in Gustavia, St Barts. St Martin (SXM) in the background.

We're home

So we are back in St Martin again. With our new baby, Duende. We're slowly getting used to this new island which will be our new home for the following four weeks at least. Looking forward to spend an extended time around here. It's always kind of exciting to get to know a new place/new country for real, and not just by passing by for a day or two. Particularly appealing is it here in the Caribbean, where a number of countries with many different cultures, people, lives and societies are located so close to one another, just a few hours of sail in between them. There's definitely an island for everyone and for every taste here in these crystal clear waters of the West Indies.

5:30

One of the many fishermen you might meet if you are up early in the mornings. This encounter was made outside of St Pierre, Martinique a couple of weeks ago.

A harmonic weekend

Finally I'll have some time to share some more photos from our wonderful stay at Buccament Bay Resort in St Vincent the other week. One afternoon we anchored up in the lush bay of Buccament, we got greeted at the beach by the staff with drinks waiting for us upon our dinghy arrival. What a mad contrast to our simple cruising lifestyle. Being the only boat anchored in the private bay that weekend, we had our Caos in clear view during our whole stay, making the experience one step greater, I mean how often do you get to arrive with and park your own boat on a five star resorts private waters just outside of the luxurious villa you're staying in for the weekend? 

The resort itself is idyllically located inside of a volcanic valley, among rainforest and steep green hills, a place on earth almost surreal in its beauty. The settings reminded us of a colorful fairy-tale with its natural fairness beyond imagination. The perfectly white sand beach laid out a smooth and silky carpet before the crystal clear water and the large pool area with a sophisticated bar and a stylish restaurant overlooked the same calm sea from above. Our villa was tastefully equipped with the latest technology, discreet art and all was decorated in subtle peaceful tones. We had a large private jacuzzi on our terrace and everything else was available that one could be in need of. A large comfortable bed with crisp white cotton linen for example, something that we don't really miss in our nomadic boat life before we actually get into one. Oh those mornings in the bed of the resort, wish they could never end.. We had only three things on our mind when we arrived to the resort and they all got very much fulfilled: eat, sleep and relax and I can't think of a better place for satisfying those needs and wishes than this place where the food and drinks were outstanding, the staff and the service was all equally flawless in every little detail and the ambiance and the astonishing surroundings gave us an incredible peace of mind. Three days swept away faster than ever before... Definitely hoping we'll get the chance to revisit one day. 

For more info of this amazing place, check out the Buccament Bay Resort's website. 

After the storm comes beach

The storm passed by our area pretty quickly. Four hours of 25-40 knots of wind and our two anchors held us in place without any kind of problem. It was kind of a small storm after all and like Alex said; we've been through worse, and those times we were far from land and safe anchorages. The sun's now back here again and we're heading to the beach for some meditation time. Haven't slept much last night due to the screaming wind so a day on the beach is perfect.

By the way, as we don't moderate the comments ourselves any longer we don't get to see more than the comments that gets published here in the blog, but I just got the information that a few of you still insist on commenting anonymously. Please make sure to add your name to what you have to say, otherwise your comment/questions and wonderings won't go through. 

Have a great Sunday evening you all. 

Exhausted

We have sailed around 1000 nautical miles in the past 30 days, that's very many miles let me tell you and I feel it in every part of my body. Now I hope for at least four-five days of non movement under my feet, no rolling, no banging into waves, no uncomfortable heeling and no more sleepless nights during night watches for a while. I know I'll get the lust back for getting out on the ocean again in approximately five days but until then I'm glad we're safely anchored up and with no intention to move from here for at least the following 96 hours.

One of those sunsets

One night at Buccament Bay resort, St Vincent.

Sint Maarten/Saint Martin

Back in St Martin. The island of contradictions.

Last night in St Barts

We sold the fish and went for dinner at L'entracte instead. Great food, great service, great atmosphere and great conversations just by the harbor. It's very busy around here at the moment, restaurants, bars and clubs are jam packed compared to when we were here last time two months ago. It's summer vacation for the French and other Europeans whom have now invaded this lovely little island and it feels almost like being in St Tropez in the summertime. 

Your private cocoon

I am totally and completely in love with this amazing invention sent to us by the Cacoon team. It is the most cozy little thing into which you can escape and close yourself off from the outside world for a while. Your perfect cocoon where you can relax, read, or just... hang around. Best thing is you can hang it wherever you wish. In a palm tree, on your boat, in your house or garden and it is made of sailcloth which makes it super resistant and strong. Thanks so much for this guys, our Cacoon will come to very much enjoyment!

Click here for more details and info on where you can get your own Cacoon.